49ers draft evaluation … for 2009

After the requisite time to reflect, we need a full assessment of the 49ers draft class – that’s their 2009 class. Since I don’t believe in grading players who have yet to sink a cleat into a NFL practice field, why not look back on the classes that should be maturing.

But first, I will say the 49ers have seemed to take Pro Bowl-or-bust players particularly early in last week’s draft. Is Aldon Smith a pass-rush prodigy with his 11.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman or is he another lanky athlete without a quick first step like Manny Lawson? Is quarterback Colin Kaepernick a mobile, strong-armed leader with intangibles galore or is he Alex Smith – a non-instinctual player from a lesser conference and a gimmick offense? Is South Carolina cornerback Chris Culliver another height (6-0), weight (200), speed (4.36) guy or can he really play the game?

Is this year Michael Crabtree figures it out?

The game were playing is to look back at what draft experts said about the 2009 draft. Mel Kiper liked the 49ers picks, giving the team a B+ for landing Michael Crabtree with the 10th overall choice. Kiper also lauded the selections of Fresno State tight end Bear Pascoe, who he called the best blocking tight end in the draft and of Pitt linebacker Scott McKillop in the fifth round. Crabtree has disappointed, but is that because of a lack of a quarterback or because he’s continuing his diva act? Pascoe has turned out to be a good blocker … for the Giants. The 49ers cut him. McKillop may well fulfill his promise as a special teams maven and even the eventual replacement for Takeo Spikes. He missed last season after tearing knee ligaments in training camp.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports appropriately slapped a C- on the 49ers 2009 draft. He didn’t like Crabtree because of the diva factor, and like Kiper, he applauded the selections of McKillop and Pascoe. Here’s a rundown of the 49ers 2009 selections.

1. Michael Crabtree WR, 10 overall. If he continues last year’s disappearing act he may have a career as a magician but not a football player.

2. Glen Coffee RB, 74 overall. Talk about vanishing, Coffee abruptly retired in training camp last summer and hinted he wanted to become a minister. He was later arrested for carrying a loaded automatic pistol in an unregistered Cadillac. The 49ers couldn’t discern any of these personal troubles before taking him in the third round.

3. Scott McKillop LB 146 overall. Could be the best player in this draft class be a fifth-rounder? It depends on how quickly McKillop can rebound from last year’s knee surgery.

4. Nate Davis QB 171 overall. Enigmatic fifth-round choice cut by the Singletary regime and is now a free agent after getting cut by Seattle. During his time in San Francisco, there were legitimate questions about his dedication to playing the game’s most demanding position.

5. Bear Pascoe TE 184 overall. Absolutely blasted in training camp daily by the coaching staff and then released. He’s now a near constant presence in the Giants offensive huddle as a H-back.

6. Curtis Taylor S 219 overall. Big, fast safety who ended the last two seasons on injured reserve with a hip flexor tear and a torn thigh muscle respectively. With the 49ers taking another fast safety in this year’s sixth round, TCU’s Colin Jones, Taylor might not be around for long.

7. Ricky Jean Francois

NT 244 overall. This undersized nose tackle is the understudy to Aubrayo Franklin. He’s an adequate player who actually could stay around for a little while.

Of the seven players drafted only four remain, with one, Crabtree, as the lone starter. The success of this class will depend on it’s prized pupil, Crabtree, and his reaction to the Jim Harbaugh regime. Overall grade? C.